The 32-year-old striker - who joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Anzhi Makhachkala in August - had failed to score in his four previous league appearances but picked an ideal time to break his duck on Saturday.

Jordon Mutch made the most of poor defending from David Luiz to put Cardiff in front after 10 minutes before Eden Hazard leveled in bizarre circumstances.

Eto'o put Chelsea in front in the 66th minute and his strike eased the tension, with Oscar and Hazard putting gloss on the win with late goals to the delight of manager Jose Mourinho, who was sent to the stands for dissent.

With the win, the Blues moved up to second in the Premier League table.

Chelsea made four changes from the side that beat Norwich City 3-1 earlier this month, with Willian given his first start for the club, while Ryan Bertrand replaced the injured Ashley Cole at left back.

Mutch was one of Cardiff's two inclusions and he made an immediate impact, firing Malky Mackay's side in front in the 10th minute after he pounced on a defensive error from Luiz.

The Brazilian left an errant Ramires ball alone, allowing Mutch to steal in and dink over the onrushing Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The hosts responded quickly as John Terry went close twice, but they were given another scare when Peter Odemwingie's flicked header forced Cech into an outstanding save.

The home crowd were growing restless before Hazard scored a controversial goal to level proceedings.

Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall was caught napping while bouncing the ball in preparation for a goal-kick, and Eto'o nipped in to knock the ball towards Hazard.

The Belgian returned the ball to Eto'o but as a desperate Cardiff scrambled, he was unable to get his shot away, only for Hazard to curl in from close range.

The goal should not have stood and it was perhaps more than Chelsea deserved, but Luiz, Hazard and Frank Lampard all had good efforts as the Blues finished the half strongly.

Cardiff started the second half well, but it failed to create clear-cut chances, and only excellent defending from Andrew Taylor denied Hazard at the other end.

Chelsea did take the lead in the 66th minute though, when Hazard fed Eto'o, who produced a superb finish. The striker showed quick feet to beat Steven Caulker before firing past Marshall at the near post.

Fernando Torres had a good effort blocked as Chelsea searched for a third but the Blues were kept on their toes at the other end, with Cech forced into a good save to deny Kim Bo-Kyung.

Oscar did seal the result with 12 minutes to play, thrashing an effort past Marshall from 20 yards that cannoned in off the underside of the post, before Hazard added a fourth from a tight angle.